Fluid deflecting device



July 11, 1967 c, E TH 3,330,291

FLUID DEFLEGTING DEVICE Filed 0st. 2, 1964 2 Sheets-Sheet l I z are: m

ATTORNEV July 11, 1967 c. E. SMITH 3,330,291

FLUID DEFLECTING DEVICE Filed Oct. 2, 1964 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 (/2 l N VEN TOR.

A T TOR/VEK;

United States Patent 3,339,291 FLUID DEFLEC'IING DEVICE Charles E. Smith, 29733 Walker, Warren, Mich. 48039 Filed Oct. 2, 1964, Ser. No. 401,109 Claims. (GI. 137-120) This invention relates to fluid deflecting devices, and more particularly to a device of the type adapted to be secured to the end of a downspout or the like for deflecting fluid passing therethrough away form the base of the downspout.

In many building constructions it is common to provide a downspout leading from the eaves trough on the roof, the downspout being adapted to convey the water away from the foundation to prevent damage to the foundation structure. It is not uncommon in such building constructions to terminate the downspout adjacent the ground, with the result that rainwater or the like flowing through the downspout impinges upon the ground adjacent the wall structure. Some means must be provided to deflect or carry away such rainwater, to prevent the water from eroding the ground surface and flowing downwardly between the ground surface and the foundation.

There are numerous ways of solving this problem, most of which are unsatisfactory for various reasons. Oftentimes a cement slab is placed below the downspout so that the water impinges upon the slab and is splashed away from the foundation. This presents an unsightly appearance and the cement slab is an obstruction that must be contended with in walking near the wall or in caring for the grass adjacent the wall. Other devices have been provided which may be attached to the wall or to the downspout and which convey the flowing rainwater to a point distant from the wall structure. However, this just moves the problem from adjacent the wall to a point spaced therefrom and such structures also present an unsightly appearance and an obstruction to traflic and lawn care. Some devices are provided which are collapsible so that they may be disposed adjacent the wall or adjacent the downspout when the weather is clear and which may be lowered or extended when rainwater flows through the downspout. Such devices are complicated and cumbersome to operate and are unsightly in their appearance. Such devices must be manually operated in order to deflect the water flowing from the downspout, requiring the operator to go out in inclement weather to his discomfort.

The device in which this invention is embodied cornprises, generally, a support structure adapted to be secured to the terminal end of the downspout and having a trough pivotally secured thereto, the trough having an upright position hiding the support and the operating means therein and having a down position receiving the water flowing through the downspout and conveying the Water in a gentle flow path away from the foundation in such a manner as to prevent, as much as possible, the water from eroding the ground surface. A cup member is pivotally secured on the support and so disposed in one position as to be in the flow path from the downspout. The cup is pivotable to a second position, the pivoting motion being accomplished by a predetermined amount of water falling into the cup. Upon its pivotal motion, the operating mechanism causes the trough to fall from its upright position to a down position, receiving the water from the downspout and carrying the water away. After the Water flow has stopped, the trough may be manually raised to its upright position and in so doing the cup member is returned to its original position in the flow path from the downspout, thus automatically cocking the device for the next operation.

Such a device is extremely simple to manufacture, assemble, and install on the existing downspouts of building constructions. The structure is compact in size and presents a pleasant appearance on the side of the building. The structure is positive in action so that each time rain falls sufficiently to require deflection the trough will fall and convey water away from the foundation. Upon raising the trough, a positive cocking action is provided to ready the structure for the next use. The cocking and locking of the trough in the upright position is accomplished by merely raising the trough to its upright position. Once in the upright position, the trough is suitably secured so that bumps and banging on the trough member will not disengage the trough from the support, thus preventing the trough from falling when it is not intended to be in its down position.

These and other advantages will become more apparent from the following description and drawings in which:

FIGURE 1 is a perspective view of a portion of a building construction with a downspout secured thereto and illustrating the fluid deflecting device mounted adjacent the building structure.

FIGURE 2 is an elevation view with parts broken away and illustrating the position of the various parts of the deflecting device.

FIGURE 3 is a front elevational view of the structure illustrated in FIGURE 2, taken substantially along the line 3--3 of FIGURE 2 and looking in the direction of the arrows.

FIGURE 4 is a partial cross-sectional view of the structure shown in FIGURES 2 and 3, taken substantially along the line 44 of FIGURE 2 and looking in the direction of the arrows.

FIGURE 5 is a cross-sectional view of a portion of the trough member taken substantially along the line 5-5 of FIGURE 3 and looking in the direction of the arrows.

FIGURE 6 is another partial cross-sectional view of a portion of the trough member taken substantially along the line 66 of FIGURE 3 and looking in the direction of the arrows.

FIGURE 7 is another partial cross-sectional view of a portion of the trough member taken substantially along the line 7--7 of FIGURE 6 and looking in the direction of the arrows.

Referring more particularly to the drawings, FIGURE 1 best illustrates a typical building construction with the downspout mounted thereon. In FIGURE 1 the wall structure, indicated generally by the numeral 10, extends downwardly into the ground 12 to form the building foundation. The wall structure terminates upwardly in a roof having the usual eaves troughs or gutters extending therearound for conveying the water from the roof to the downspout, illustrated generally by the numeral 14, which conveys the water to the ground surface 12. The downspout is secured to the wall structure 10 in any suitable manner, commonly by a strap 16 extending around the downspout and attached by suitable fastening means 18. The junction between the wall structure 10 and the ground surface 12, as well as the ground surface immediately under the downspout 14, is the area to be protected by the fluid deflecting means, illustrated generally by the numeral 20. Such structure will be hereinafter more completely described, but it is intended that the deflecting means 20 operate to convey the rainwater flowing through the downspout 14 away from the area of the foundation and ground surface 12 adjacent thereto.

Referring now to FIGURES 2 through 4, the fluid deflecting device includes a channel shaped support plate, indicated generally by the numeral 22 having a central planer web 24 and inwardly directed legs or flanges 26. Web 24 is secured to the downspout 14 in any convenient manner, as by machine screws 28, and the legs 26 extend toward the wall surface 10 to cover the down- 3 spout 14. At the base of support number 22 is a cutout portion through which the rainwater may flow.

The trough member, illustrated generally by the numeral 32, is also channel shaped, having a web 34 and inwardly extending flanges of legs 36. Trough 32 is pivotally mounted on the support flanges 26 at the lower end, as by machine screws or the like 38, the trough member having an upright position in which it covers the support member and a down position in which it extends outwardly from the support member. The pivot points 38 between the trough 32 and the support 22 are so located that the center of gravity of the trough 32 is outward of the pivots 38 to permit the trough to fall of its own ,weight when it is released, in themanner to be hereinafter more particularly described. Further, for purposes to become hereinafter more apparent, the flanges or legs 36 of the trough 32 are slotted, as at'4t), to receive the pivot screws 38, permitting a limited degree of vertical movement of the trough relative to the support. 5 In order to secure the trough to the support in the upright position, a latch or hook member 42 is welded or otherwise secured to the inner surface of the web 34 of the trough 32. The trough extends slightly above the support 22 when in the upright position so that the hook 42 may extend over the upper edge of the support 22 to retain the trough in place. For this purpose, the slots 40 at the pivot points of the trough 32 permit the vertical movement necessary to hook the latch member 42 over the support 22.

Disposed within the support 22 and secured to one of the side flanges 26, is a U-shaped bracket 44 extending inwardly from the flange 26. Pivotally mounted in the U-shaped bracket 44 is a cup member 46 having outwardly extending side members 48 disposed between the 'legs of the bracket 44. A pivot rod 50 passes through the legs of the bracket 44 and the side flanges 48 on the cup to permit the cup to pivot freely about the rod 59. The cup pivots from a filling position adjacent the terminal end of downspout 14 to an emptying position out of the flow path from downspout 14. FIGURE 4 illustrates the cup 46 in full lines in the filling position and in dashed and dotted lines in the emptying position.

-Disposed between side flanges 48 on cup 46 is a web 52 from which extends a tab 54, as best illustrated in FIGURE 4. Tab 54 may be formed in any suitable man ner, and may be stamped out of Web 52 or may be attached to the web as by welding or the like. Also secured to the side flange 26 of thesupport 22 is an L-shaped bracket member 56 extending inwardly from the flange 26 and having a slot 58 formed therein. Extending outwardly from tab 54 and through slot 58 is a rod member 66, terminating above the support 22 and to the web 24 of support 22 is a flange 62 against which the rod-60 is able to slide. The flange 62 is mounted to permit lateral movement of the rod 60 in a manner to become hereinafter more apparent. Since the rod 60 is attached to the cup 46, as illustrated in FIGURE 4, pivotal movement of the cup 46 from the filling position to the emptying position will cause the upper end of rod 60 to move upwardly.

Secured to the inner surface of the web 34 of the trough 32 is an angularly directed flange 64 extending across the upper corner of the trough 32 adjacent the terminal end of rod 62. In the upright position of the trough 32 the flange 64 extends angularly upwardly and away from the web 34. The terminal end or rod 60 engages the under surface of flange 64 and upon rotational movement of the cup 46'and the resultant upward movement of rod 60, the rod bears against the flange 64, raising the trough 32 upwardly to disengage the hook 42. When the trough 32 is returned to its upright position from the down position the angular surface of flange 64 engages the end of rod 60 and'forces the rod downwardly and to the right, as viewed in FIGURE 4, to return the cup 46 to its filling position. Bracket 56 and slot 58 cause suflicient pivotal movement of the rod 60 to provide the proper component of force on the cup 46 to return it to the filling position.

Trough 32 is provided with an angularly inwardly directed wall 66 at its lower end so that when trough 32 is in its downward position the water flowing from the downspout 14 will not flow rearwardly over the inner edge of the trough 32. It may be desirable to provide additional deflecting or water directing means to assure water flow into the trough 32 and for this purpose a channel-shaped deflector plate, illustrated generally by the numeral 68, may be provided. Plate 68 has a Web 70 and outwardly directed flanges 72, the flanges being secured to the side flanges 26 of support 22 in any suitable manner. The-lower end of deflector plate 68 has an inwardly bent wall 74 which serves to direct the water flow outwardly of the wall 66 on trough member 32. Thus, water flow will not fall behind the wall 66 when the trough 32 is in the down position.

In order to prevent a large flow of water from the end of trough 32 in the down position,-a perforated deflector plate 76 is pivotally mounted in the trough 32. Side flanges 36 of trough 32 are provided with apertures 78 and perforated plate 76 is provided with outwardly directed ears 80 received in the apertures 78. The ears permit free pivotal movement of the plate 76 within the side flanges 36 so that the plate 76 may be moved into a position overlying the surface of web 34 when the trough 32 is in the upright position. This permits the trough 32 to rest very close to the support 22. In order to move the deflector plate 76 to its upright, or flow blocking, position a torsion spring 82 is secured in the side flange 36 of trough 32 in any suitable manner, as by the stamped rib 84 illustrated in FIGURES 6 and 7. Spring 82 extends from the rib 84 to a slot 86 formed in the upper edge of the perforated plate '76, the upwardly directed end 88 of spring 82 moving in the slot 86 as the plate 76 is moved downwardly. Upon release of the plate 76 from the support member 22 the spring end 88 returns the perforated plate 76 to the flow blocking position. The perforations breakup water flow through the plate to avoid the rush or hard impingement of waterleaving the trough 32 and erosion of the ground surface 12 at the end thereof.

The operation of the deflector device is as follows:

With the trough 32 in the upright position, as best illustrated in FIGURE 1, wherein no flow would be occurring through the downspout 14, the entire device is pleasingly disposed against the wall 10. The cup 46 is located in its filling position, that is in the full lines as illustrated in FIGURE 4. Rod member 60 is in the position indicated by the numeral 63 in FIGURE 4, holding the cup 46 in its filling position, When flow begins through the downspout 40, a predetermined amount of water in the cup 46 will overcome the holding force of flange 64 on the trough 32 against the upper end of the rod 60 and cause the trough 32 to lift upwardly to disengage the hook 42 from the support member 22. The cup 46 will fall to its empty ing position and the predetermined amount of water therein will empty into the now fallen trough 32. Flow through the downspout will continue to the trough 32, being deflected if necessary by the deflector plate 68. As the trough 32 falls, because of its weight outwardly of the pivots 38,

the spring 82 causes the perforated plate 76 to pivot outwardly and thus control the flow through the trough 32. When the flow through the downspout ceases and it is desired to raise the trough 32 to its upright position, the trough 32 is merely lifted so that the flange 64 engages the upper end of rod 60, which is now in the position various parts. When the trough 32 reaches its full upright position, hook or latch 42 slips over the upper edge of support 22, such upward movement being permitted by the pivot slots 49, and the entire assembly is latched in place pending the next rainfall.

In order to prevent a gradual buildup of water in the cup 46 of the trough 32, a small bleed hole 90 may be formed in the bottom wall of cup 46. A certain amount of water may otherwise accumulate in het cup 46 from dew of light showers and would cause the trough to fall in a period of time. By providing bleed hole 90, the incidental water will drain away. However, when the full rush of water from a heavy rain shower reaches the cup the bleed hole 90 will not drain fast enough to prevent buildup to the predetermined triggering amount. Bleed hole 90 may be calibrated to provide any desired rate of drainage from cup 42 and thus determine the amount of rainfall necessary to operate the device.

Thus, a fluid deflecting device is provided which is extremely compact in its nestling structure and which presents a pleasing appearance when mounted in its upright position. The structure is extremely simple and inexpensive to manufacture, assemble, and install, and is positive in its operation, both in a downward movement and in its upward latching position, so that the structure will not inadvertently fall nor will it be jarred loose by bumps or the like. The structure may be made of such materials as to prevent adverse effects of inclement weather. The structure may be easily formed of plastic, or coated metal materials.

It will now become apparent to those having skill in the art after having had reference to the foregoing description and drawings that numerous modifications and changes may be made in the structure. However, it is not intended to limit the scope of the invention by the foregoing description and drawings but by the cope of the appended claims in which:

I claim:

1. Water deflecting means for attachment to a downspout and comprising:

a support adapted to be secured to said downspout;

a cup pivotally mounted on said support, said cup having a filling position to receive water from said downspout and being pivotable into an emptying position when a predetermined amount of water falls therein from said downspout;

a trough pivotally mounted on said support and having an upright position to cover said cup and said support and a down position to deflect water from said downspout;

latch means for holding said trough in said upright position;

and actuating means for releasing said latch means when said cup pivots from said filling position to said emptying position to permit said trough to fall from said upright position to said down position.

2. The deflecting means set forth in claim 1 wherein said actuating means is operable to raise said cup to said filling position when said trough is raised to said upright position.

3. Water deflecting means for attachment to a downspout and comprising:

a support adapted to be secured to said downspout;

a cup pivotally mounted on said support and having a filling position to receive water from said downspout and being pivotable into an emptying position out of the flow path from said downspout when a predetermined amount of water falls into said cup from said downspout;

a trough pivotally mounted on said support and having an upright position covering said cup and said support and a down position to deflect water flowing from said downspout;

a latch member secured to said trough and engaging said support when said trough is in said upright position;

and actuating means between said cup and said trough for disengaging said latch member from said support when said cup moves from said filling position to said emptying position to permit said trough to fall from said upright position to said down position.

4. The deflecting means set forth in claim 3 wherein said actuating means is operable to raise said cup to said filling position when said trough is raised to said upright position.

5. Water deflecting means for attachment to a downspout and comprising:

a support adapted to be secured to said downspout;

a cup pivotally mounted on said support and having a filling position to receive water from said downspout and being pivotable into an emptying position out of the flow path from said downspout when a predetermined amount of Water falls into said cup from said downspout;

a trough pivotally mounted on said support and having an upright position to cover said cup and said support and a down position to deflect water from said downspout;

a latch member securing said trough to said support when said trough is in the upright position;

a rod member secured to said cup and extending upwardly therefrom and engaging said trough when said trough is in the upright position, said rod member being moved upwardly when said cup moves from said filling position to said emptying position to disengage said latch member and permit said trough to fall to said down position.

6. The deflecting means set forth in claim 5 and further including means on said trough for engaging said rod member and moving said rod member downwardly when said trough is returned to said upright position to move said cup to said filling position.

7. Water deflecting means for attachment to a downspout and comprising:

a support adapted to be secured to said downspout;

a cup pivotally mounted on said support and having a filling position to receive water from said downspout and being pivotable into an emptying position out of the flow path from said downspout when a predetermined amount of water falls into said cup from said downspout;

a trough pivotally mounted on said support and having an upright position to cover said cup and said support and a down position to deflect water from said downspout;

a latch member securing said trough to said support when said trough is in the upright position;

a rod member secured to said cup and extending upwardly therefrom;

a flange on said trough engaging the upper end of said rod member when said trough is in the upright position;

said rod member being moved upwardly when said cup pivots from said filling position to said emptying position to disengage said latch member from said support and permit said trough to fall to said down position.

8. The deflecting means set forth in claim 7 wherein said flange engages the upper end of said rod member and moves said rod member downwardly when said trough is raised to said upright position to raise said cup to said filling position.

9. Water deflecting means for attachment to a downspout and comprising;

a support adapted to be secured to said downspout;

a cup pivotally mounted on said support and having a filling position to receive Water from said downspout and being pivotable into an emptying position out of the flow path from said downspout when a predetermined amount of water falls into said cup from said downspout;

port and a down position to deflect water from saiddownspout;

a latch member securing said trough to said support when said trough is time upright position;

a rod member secured to said cup and extending up Wardly therefrom;

a flange on said trough adjacent the upper end of said rod member when said trough is in the upright position, said flange being disposed at an angle relative to the surface of said trough;

said rod member being movable upwardly when said cup pivots from said filling position to said emptying position to disengage said latch member and permit said trough to fall to said down position.

10. The deflecting means set forth in claim 9 wherein said flange engages the upper end of said rod member and moves said rod member downwardly when said trough is raised to said upright position to raise said cup to said filling position.

11. Water deflecting means for attachment to a downspout and comprising:

-a channel-shaped support plate adapted to be secured to said downspout;

a U-shaped bracket secured to one flange of said support plate and extending inwardly therefrom;

a cup pivotally supported in said bracket and having a filling position under said downspout to receive water therefrom, said cup being pivoted to an emptying position out of the flow path from said downspout when a predetermined amount of water falls into said cup from said downspout;

a channel-shaped trough pivotally secured to said support plate and having an upright position enclosing said support plate, said trough having a down position to deflect water from said downspout when said cup is in said emptying position;

hook member secured to the inner surface of said trough and received over said support plate when said trough is in said upright position; an angular flange secured to said trough;

' a rod member secured to said cup and extending upwardly therefrom and engaging said flange on said trough when said trough is in the upright position, said rod member being moved upwardly when said 8 cup moves from the filling position to the emptying position to disengage said hook member from said support plate and permit said trough to fall to the down position. g 12. The deflecting means set forth in claim 11 wherein said flange engages the upper end of said rod member and moves said rod member downwardly when said trough is raised to said upright position to raise said cup to said filling position. V

13. The deflecting means set forth in claim 11 and further including a deflector plate secured to said support plate and disposed on the opposite side of said downspout therefrom, said deflector plate being disposed to deflect water into said trough when said trough is in the down position.

14. The deflecting means set forth in claim 11 and further including a perforated plate pivotally mounted between the flanges of said trough and intermediate the ends thereof, and spring means for biasing said perforated plate in a direction away from said trough and into the water flow path wherein said trough is in the down position, said perforated plate being pivoted into surface engagement with said trough when said trough is moved 7 to the upright position.

15. Deflecting means for attachment to a conduit adapted to intermittently convey a fluid therethrough and comprising:

a supportadapted to be secured to said conduit;

fluid receiving means pivotally secured to said support and having a first position in fluid receiving relation to said conduit and a second position out of the flow path from said conduit;

a trough pivotal from a position covering said support to a fluid deflecting position and adapted to receive fluid from said conduit when in said deflecting position; 7 i

and means for moving said trough from said covering position to said deflecting position in response to movement of said fluid receiving means from said first position to said second position.

No references cited.

WILLIAM F. ODEA, Primary Examiner.

H. COHN, Assistant Examiner. 

15. DEFLECTING MEANS FOR ATTACHMENT TO A CONDUIT ADAPTED TO INTERMITTENTLY CONVEY A FLUID THERETHROUGH AND COMPRISING: A SUPPORT ADAPTED TO BE SECURED TO SAID CONDUIT; FLUID RECEIVING MEANS PIVOTALLY SECURED TO SAID SUPPORT AND HAVING A FIRST POSITION IN FLUID RECEIVING RELATION TO SAID CONDUIT AND A SECOND POSITION OUT OF THE FLOW PATH FROM SAID CONDUTI; A TROUGH PIVOTAL FROM A POSITION COVERING SAID SUPPORT TO A FLUID DEFLECTING POSITION AND ADAPTED TO RECEIVE FLUID FROM SAID CONDUIT WHEN IN SAID DEFLECTING POSITION; AND MEANS FOR MOVING SAID TROUGH FROM SAID COVERING POSITION TO SAID DEFLECTING POSITION IN RESPONSE TO MOVEMENT OF SAID FLUID RECEIVING MEANS FROM SAID FIRST POSITION TO SAID SECOND POSITION. 